Hill once observed that “democracy is the worst form of government of all others that have been attempted.” In accordance with his statement, this article will examine the problems of democratic governments using specific examples and compare them with the failure of fascist governments in Nazi Germany and Italy and communist governments in the Soviet Union and China. Theoretically, democracy is a stable form of government where power is in the hands of the people. In a democracy, people have the freedom to elect officials who best represent their interests, and political institutions exist as a result: Benjamin Constant argues in The Freedom of the Ancients Versus That of the Moderns that “true modern freedom is individual freedom ” and that “political freedom is its guarantee”. (Constant, page 10) Freedom, therefore, is a requirement of democracy. However, despite the premise of popular participation in politics, recent years have seen a decline in voter turnout during elections. (Wong, lecture, October 24) This could be the result of a general lack of interest or, more likely, a loss of trust in politicians. Modern democracy is intended to be representative, but it appears that corruption and the political domination of the upper classes have led to public disillusionment with politics. In India, for example, polls have shown that the majority prefer democracy, but the level of trust in elected officials is very low due to wealth-based campaigns, nepotism and a lack of transparency (Sen, p. 90) in the electoral system. It can therefore be said that in democratic countries where corruption is prevalent, democracy can be undermined by a non-democratic system. The principles of democracy can also be compromised when equality… middle of paper… is shown to be more stable and permanent than other proven forms of government. History has seen society progress from feudalism, absolutism, and other forms of government to democracy, and the failure of communist and fascist states has returned countries to democracy or some form of it as well. While the system has its flaws, it is best equipped to handle the rapid modernization of a nation's economy and society. In contrast, fascism and communism are not socially, economically, or politically viable options. The resulting totalitarian regimes of Hitler and Mussolini and the failure of the Soviet, Russian and Chinese models during the height of communism provide a clear example of why. Therefore, it can be said that Winston Churchill's statement that “democracy is the worst form of government except all others that have been tried” is true.

Topic > Hill once observed that “democracy is the worst form of government of all others that have been attempted.” In accordance with his statement, this article will examine the problems of democratic governments using specific examples and compare them with the failure of fascist governments in Nazi Germany and Italy and communist governments in the Soviet Union and China. Theoretically, democracy is a stable form of government where power is in the hands of the people. In a democracy, people have the freedom to elect officials who best represent their interests, and political institutions exist as a result: Benjamin Constant argues in The Freedom of the Ancients Versus That of the Moderns that “true modern freedom is individual freedom ” and that “political freedom is its guarantee”. (Constant, page 10) Freedom, therefore, is a requirement of democracy. However, despite the premise of popular participation in politics, recent years have seen a decline in voter turnout during elections. (Wong, lecture, October 24) This could be the result of a general lack of interest or, more likely, a loss of trust in politicians. Modern democracy is intended to be representative, but it appears that corruption and the political domination of the upper classes have led to public disillusionment with politics. In India, for example, polls have shown that the majority prefer democracy, but the level of trust in elected officials is very low due to wealth-based campaigns, nepotism and a lack of transparency (Sen, p. 90) in the electoral system. It can therefore be said that in democratic countries where corruption is prevalent, democracy can be undermined by a non-democratic system. The principles of democracy can also be compromised when equality… middle of paper… is shown to be more stable and permanent than other proven forms of government. History has seen society progress from feudalism, absolutism, and other forms of government to democracy, and the failure of communist and fascist states has returned countries to democracy or some form of it as well. While the system has its flaws, it is best equipped to handle the rapid modernization of a nation's economy and society. In contrast, fascism and communism are not socially, economically, or politically viable options. The resulting totalitarian regimes of Hitler and Mussolini and the failure of the Soviet, Russian and Chinese models during the height of communism provide a clear example of why. Therefore, it can be said that Winston Churchill's statement that “democracy is the worst form of government except all others that have been tried” is true.